When working with patients who have had psychotic episodes, the nurse knows to monitor for which laboratory analysis for the patient taking clozapine (Clozaril)?
1. WBC
2. RBC count
3. Fasting blood sugar
4. Pro-times and creatine kinase
Answer: 1
Explanation: Clozapine (Clozaril), the first of the second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs), can cause agranulocytosis but is very efficacious. APA (2004) guidelines recommend strict WBC monitoring. The WBC count should be between 2000 and 3000 while using clozapine. RBC count, fasting blood sugars, and pro-times and creatine kinase are not factors that require close monitoring in patients taking clozapine.
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